AMSTERDAM, NOV 8: Israeli, Dutch and European leaders on Friday condemned "anti-Semitic" clashes that erupted in Amsterdam overnight after a Europa League football match, with Israel sending rescue planes for their citizens.
The violence flared after the game between home team Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv that Ajax won 5-0.
Five people were hospitalised and 62 arrests were made as a result of the clashes, police said.
"In several places in the city, supporters were attacked, abused and pelted with fireworks. Riot police had to intervene several times, protect Israeli supporters and escort them to hotels," said Amsterdam officials.
As fans of both teams gathered in Amsterdam for Thursday's match, police said were on alert and monitoring several incidents including the tearing down of a Palestinian flag from a building.
Social media platforms were flooded with unverified images purported to be of the violence, but confirmed details of the clashes were few.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the clashes and said the "shocking images" of a "pogrom" were reminiscent of last year's Hamas attack on Israel.
"We see with horror this morning, the shocking images and videos that since October 7th, we had hoped never to see again: an antisemitic pogrom currently taking place against Maccabi Tel Aviv fans and Israeli citizens in the heart of Amsterdam, Netherlands," Herzog said on X.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered two planes be sent to the Netherlands to bring the Israeli fans home. —AFP
